Even though the Asus Eee is making quite a splash into the laptop marketplace, I’m not certain whether to classify it as a laptop or UMPC. However, there is a new kid in laptop/UMPC market that could give some healthy competition to the Eee.

Enter the Noahpad, a new product from a Taiwanese company called E-lead. The E-lead sports some nice workings outside, such as a nice 7 inch screen and dual touch pads.

As far as the inside, the Noahpad has Ubuntu 7.10 for running Windows XP, a 1GHz VIA C7 Eden processor (CX700 chipset), 30GB hard drive, plus 512 MB worth of RAM.

What is most unique about the Noahpad is the fact that its hinge can fold down completely backwards. That means it can stand like an old-school desk calendar, and can even hang on a hanger. The 50 function keys can be even used backwards, if you do the adapting just right.

In other words, it apparently can do some really wonderful stuff. The Noahpad boasts that it is a “classmate, roommate, and travelmate”, but if you want to see it for yourself, you’ll have to come to CES 2008. I fully intend to give it a look when I get there.

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